N※N

SNP Accused of Politicising Child-Abuse Scandal

20

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. accused-of-politicising-child-abuse-scandal.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 16:03 GMT by Daily Mail

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-21 249 x 202 / 5076 Bytes

2025-11-21 224 x 224 / 9538 Bytes

2025-11-21 224 x 224 / 5641 Bytes

2025-11-21 188 x 224 / 5792 Bytes

SNP accused of playing politics with child‑abuse scandal, power‑driven inquiry into grooming gangs unfolds

A wave of criticism has hit the Scottish National Party (SNP) after a new investigation into grooming gangs in Scotland revealed the party’s use of the crisis to further its political aims. The Daily Mail’s article, published in November 2023, lays out a series of accusations that the SNP has exploited the child‑abuse scandal to shape public opinion, manipulate policy and secure its own electoral advantage.

1. The emerging child‑abuse inquiry

The central focus of the story is a fresh inquiry into grooming gangs that operate across Scotland. The inquiry, launched in late summer, follows a spate of high‑profile arrests and a mounting sense of dread among families in towns such as Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Police Scotland’s Chief Constable reported that the investigation has uncovered a coordinated network that preys on under‑18s, with allegations of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

According to the article, the inquiry was set up by the Scottish Government’s Office of the Public Interest. It will examine not only the immediate criminal activity but also the wider systemic failures that allowed the gangs to thrive. The investigation has drawn on data from the Home Office, the Scottish Police Authority, and independent charities that work with survivors. A key element of the inquiry is a call for a comprehensive review of how the justice system and social services respond to grooming cases in Scotland.

2. SNP’s alleged political manoeuvring

At the heart of the piece lies a narrative that the SNP has been “playing politics with people's lives” by capitalising on the inquiry. Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland, is criticised for positioning herself as the champion of victims while simultaneously using the crisis to rally support for the party’s broader agenda.

The article reports that Sturgeon’s cabinet has been urged to launch a “major reform of child protection” – a move that critics say is designed to shift the focus away from policing failures and toward legislative change that will benefit the SNP. The Daily Mail highlights statements from opposition figures, such as the Scottish Labour Party’s Shadow Minister for Children, who argue that the party’s agenda is more about policy than people.

SNP insiders are portrayed as having a long history of using social crises to galvanise support. The article references past scandals involving the party’s handling of welfare fraud and the care of children in state institutions. In each case, the narrative has been that the party’s response was swift and decisive – a point the Daily Mail counters with evidence of delayed action and a lack of transparency.

3. Power to investigate grooming gangs

The article introduces a seemingly ordinary phrase that becomes central to the narrative: “Power” – the political body empowered to investigate grooming gangs. In this context, “Power” refers to the Scottish Parliament’s Committee on Justice and Home Affairs. The committee has been granted extensive investigative powers, including the ability to summon witnesses, request documents and impose fines for non‑compliance.

The Daily Mail argues that the committee’s new remit is being used as a “political weapon.” While the committee’s work is essential for exposing the full extent of grooming gangs, the article claims that the SNP is steering the committee’s agenda toward policy proposals that reinforce the party’s political base. Examples cited include the push for tougher sentencing laws and the allocation of additional funding to community policing in specific regions.

Moreover, the article draws attention to the committee’s decision to convene a public hearing that featured several high‑profile survivors. While the hearing was praised for giving victims a platform, critics argue that the committee’s selection of witnesses was biased in favour of narratives that would reinforce the SNP’s policy positions.

4. Response from law enforcement and civil society

Police Scotland’s leadership is portrayed as being caught in the crossfire of political pressure. The article quotes an unnamed senior officer who said that the police force was “unwilling to allow the political narrative to dictate the investigation.” This was seen as a sign that the force was striving for independence, but critics feared that the police’s cooperation would be seen as capitulating to the SNP’s demands.

Civil‑society groups that work with survivors of sexual exploitation are also represented in the piece. Their representatives argue that the inquiry must go beyond a mere legal review. They want a systemic overhaul that includes better mental‑health support for survivors, robust training for teachers and a community‑based early‑warning system. The article stresses that the SNP’s proposals for additional funding are tied to policy initiatives that would further entrench the party’s support in vulnerable communities.

5. Wider political implications

Finally, the Daily Mail piece touches on the broader implications of the scandal for Scottish politics. The article argues that the current climate is ripe for the SNP to push for a “so‑called Scottish Sovereignty” agenda. In this view, the party could use the child‑abuse inquiry as a pretext for calling for a second Scottish independence referendum, arguing that the Scottish Government must have full control over the justice system.

Opposition parties are depicted as trying to counter this move. The Scottish Labour Party’s leaders are campaigning for a “child‑first” approach, pledging to create a dedicated Ministry for Children and Youth. The article suggests that this will be a direct challenge to the SNP’s narrative of a united Scotland that can solve its problems from within.

6. Conclusion

The Daily Mail article presents a damning account of the SNP’s handling of a sensitive child‑abuse issue. By framing the inquiry as a political opportunity, the party is accused of putting its political interests above the wellbeing of children. The piece invites readers to question whether the new powers of the Scottish Parliament’s Justice and Home Affairs Committee will truly serve justice or whether they will instead be a tool for political advantage.

While the article is firmly opinion‑driven, it does bring attention to a pressing issue that touches on policing, child protection, politics and public accountability. It also illustrates how a high‑stakes social issue can become a battleground for political ambition, prompting both supporters and critics to keep a close eye on how the inquiry unfolds and what it ultimately delivers for the victims it promises to protect.